奪取神的供物(一): 談奉獻

•從我們相信主耶穌基督的那一刻開始，我們就進入一個和他相愛的關系裡。這個關系是神聖而浪漫的。它並不是一個工作關系，而是一個和上帝相愛的關系。但是有時候愛人之間也會有爭吵。一種情況就是其中的一方背叛了另一方。

 •在瑪拉基書3：6-12記錄了這樣一段愛人之間的爭吵。上帝要告他的民奪取了祂的供物。

 •在申命記14：22-29律法中明確規定了人們要奉獻10%。哥林多后書8-9章是新約中最詳細、最全備討論奉獻問題的經文。使徒保羅對哥林多教會說：你們需要在這恩惠之事上豐足有余。

 •上帝要我們這些新約時代的信徒去奉獻，把我們的奉獻歸給神。祂可能對我們說：你們奪取了上帝的供物。我要你們回轉歸向我。我想我們需要把我們的關系弄對了。你需要從奉獻的事情上開始。

 •上帝要在這個愛人的爭吵中採取主動。在瑪拉基書3：10-12中，祂告訴以色列人如何解決這個問題：萬軍之耶和華說：你們要將當納的十分之一全然送入倉庫，使我家有糧，以此試試我，是否為你們敞開天上的窗戶，傾福與你們，甚至無處可容。萬軍之耶和華說：我必為你們斥責蝗虫，不容他毀壞你們的土產。你們田間的葡萄樹在未熟之先也不掉果子。 萬軍之耶和華說：萬國必稱你們為有福的，因你們的地必成為喜樂之地。

 Stealing From God—Offering

When we put our faith and trust in the Lord Jesus Christ, we enter a love relationship with him. It's a sacred romance. It's not just a working relationship. It is a love relationship with God.

 But sometimes lovers quarrel. Lovers quarrel when one party in the relationship has committed an act of betrayal.

 It's in Malachi 3:6—12 where this lovers' quarrel between God and his people breaks out. In this case God singles out money. He is accusing his people of robbing him.

 God gives the answer at the end of verse 8 and in verse 9: "In tithes and offerings.

 Second Corinthians 8—9 is one of the most complete discussions in the New Testament on giving. The apostle Paul is saying to the Corinthian church: You need to excel in the grace of giving.

 So God still intends for us, as his people living in this New Covenant age, to give, to bring offerings to the Lord.